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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My mum wants brother to come and stay with me

127 replies

Breakitc · 25/11/2025 19:14

This is my first thread. Apologises for the long thread. Don't want to drip feed.
I have a younger brother, he's almost 17. We have the same mum, different dad. For various reasons, I lived with my dad and stepmum for most of my childhood.

His dad cheated on my mum and they split when he was 1, he was still involved and had him regularly. As did I, I lived close by and we spent a lot of time together and he was honestly the sweetest toddler/child. A few years later his dad moves abroad, I think brother was around 8 at the time and after that contact slowed down. In the beginning he'd come and visit him but that stopped and went to birthday texts and then nothing at all. I also stopped seeing him, my mum has MH issues (agoraphobia, anxiety, depression, she's also a functional alcoholic) and our relationship is rocky, we’d fall out and then she’d tell my brother i didn’t want to see him etc. Which wasn't true.

He was her baby and she blamed everything on other people, he could do no wrong. She'd blame other kids on their street for influencing him, blaming the school and teachers and just everyone but her/her parenting and my brother. She never set any boundaries. He stopped attending school in year 7. Mum said she was homeschooling him but I don't think they did any work together. He has Irlen syndrome and still can barely read and write and I'm not doubting he struggled in secondary school but he only lasted a term, if that.

Things really changed when he was 13, he started being aggressive, smashing things when he didn't get his own way. He smashed many iPhones and mum just brought a new one/got them repaired with no consequences.
He was very mouthy and eventually started with homophobic and racist language, my mum isn't like this nor me and he barely has contact with his dad so I don't think it's learnt behaviour from any of us.

Anyway, the older he's got the worse he's got. He steals from my mum, smokes weed, drinks, he's been involved with the police (it didn't go anywhere legally), mum said his room is a tip and she suspects he is doing a lot more than weed. The racist & homophobic language is very much the same. He uses the p racial slur a lot which mum has asked him many times to stop especially as they have neighbours which are other races etc. He just laughs and says its not aimed at them.
My mum can't cope with him and the final straw was a neighbour knocking on their door furious with brother as he'd had his hands down his trousers outside in front of her teen DD(13 or 14), she threatened to report him to the police but he just laughed and made a joke of it about how he was doing it because of the mum - not the DD. until that comment I thought he was just doing what teen boys do but now I honestly don't know. His behaviour and the knocks to the door is causing my mum significant anxiety. She asked me if I could have him, I live a few hours away and they live in London. I initially said no and she went off at me and blocked me and said I don't care about her or her mental health and threatened suicide (something she's done a lot hence why we have LC now). This was toward the end of October.

She'd told him she wanted him out when he turned 17 on NYE, she said if he didn't go she’d phone SS. He called her a birch and said he wasn't going into care. He’d just run away and go to his dads and she’d never see him again. I don't know if he meant it, if he's even had any contact with his dad recently or even if his dad is back in the UK. Brother doesn't have a passport.

Since then my mum has said he's hardly been home, she messaged me earlier and told me on Saturday night he'd been stabbed in the stomach, obviously went to hospital etc and is physically ok, he hasn't said who did it. He said he doesn't know, wouldn't give a description or what happened leading up to it. Apparently he went out again yesterday.

She's asking me again if I would have him but I really don't know. WWYD? Please be kind.

OP posts:
Zippedydodah · 26/11/2025 06:37

Dear god, for goodness sake don’t have him living with you especially as you have a child, that’s completely unacceptable.

Nearly50omg · 26/11/2025 06:37

If you have a man living in your house who takes drugs when you have a child and something happens then social services will be on you like a ton of bricks and possibly take your baby away! Seriously do NOT do this!!!

Imbusytodaysorry · 26/11/2025 06:39

Breakitc · 25/11/2025 22:00

Sorry I probably should've said in my OP, I have an 18mo and a partner. My brother actually came here for a week or so in the summer and we had no problems with him, he went to the gym with DP a few times and really enjoyed it. He didn't take anything while here what I know of, he was vaping with what I think was a THC vape but it was always outside as we asked (wouldve preferred not at all but outside was better than in). During that visit he told me that our mum expects him to be some kind of carer and go out and get shopping amongst other things but he's said it's not happening and it's always been that way even when he was younger. I obviously don't know if he was lying or not but he seemed convincing.

My DP thinks we should let him stay on a trial basis especially as he has no male role model but I'm unsure. DP didn't have a positive male role model and he believes it would've made a difference to him. He also thinks my brother isn't as bad as my mum is making him out to be but I have no idea how to tell for certain.

I think your brother has been let down badly.
Maybe it’s the stability he needs and to feel loved .
Id also go for the trial and have core boundaries in place.
The boy is out wandering alone in life.

caringcarer · 26/11/2025 06:39

Ring SD again. Tell them he is still 16 ATM and being neglected. Tell them about the suspected drugs and stabbing and your Mum threatening suicide. Ask them to take him into care which they can do until he is 18. I think your Mum is right that he needs to move away from his area as then his access to drugs will dry up. SS could get him fostered away from London. Don't agree to have him because he's not the sweet toddler anymore and without professional training it's very unlikely he'd change for you.

upsofloating · 26/11/2025 06:50

Absolutely not. You have a baby.

Madformaltesers · 26/11/2025 07:07

Stabbing, drugs, out all hours..my first thought is county lines and his upbringing makes him a prime recruit.
I get what your partner is saying but some things cannot be ‘fixed’ and you could be bringing a heap of aggro to your door.
your brother needs professional support - police and children's services, there must be some historical involvement if he has never been schooled.

Hebalof · 26/11/2025 07:14

I wouldn’t have him anywhere near my baby - not least because of the drugs etc but because he put his hands down his trousers with a female child present. That type of behaviour only escalates, sadly.

MyDeftDuck · 26/11/2025 07:17

Keep all his behaviour and wrong-doing in mind and then replace the image of your Mum with yourself………and that’s exactly how things will be if he moves in with you.
Surely, if he hasn’t attended school and is known to their local police he should be known to SS too as he is a minor. Tell you mum to contact them.

MenoCoach · 26/11/2025 07:19

Jesus OP I say with someone with a similarly disastrous family, how dare your mum even ask you to put yourself in that position and NO he does not come to stay with you, end of story. He's dangerous. Don't open yourself to that.

It's heartbreaking because I saw the same complete absence of parenting that caused a once lovely kid to get completely lost and broken through an utter lack of care, in my family. I sympathise with him and wish he'd had better parents. But his current path is way way too complex for you to deal with. He needs to start finding a way out himself.

You know your mum as a functioning alcoholic, your half brother etc, your role in life is not to save them all. In fact of you want to walk away for your mental health at any point you're perfectly entitled to do so, with no guilt.

Itsaknockout235 · 26/11/2025 07:22

This is an incredibly sad story. It looks like there were many opportunities for the authorities to step in, but for some reason they didn’t. For example, the moment where his mother withdrew him from school.

Irlen syndrome is more of a set of symptoms not proof of a neurological difference. For example, it can be the downstream effect of poor early reading instruction. The old ‘searchlights’ method (which was common before schools were mandated to teach phonics) encourages the eyes to jump about rather than read from left to right. It might have also been that he had standard vision problems that could have been sorted by an optometrist.

Your brother’s life trajectory is the classic life trajectory of someone who has no/poor education both at school and at home, coupled with likely emotional manipulation by his mother. As a result, he has low intelligence, poor social skills and likely failed to make friends at school. He will be aware of this, building resentment and anger. The trajectory took a steep turn at 13 because the testosterone piled in. He has likely been drawn into pseudo networks of support that involve drug taking, racism and sexualised behaviour. He is massively at risk of further harm.

The key event is the stabbing. That is a huge red flag for:

  • gang association
  • exploitation
  • criminal networks
  • grooming or coercion

Do not take him in to live in your home. To do so likely involves inviting in his criminal associates into your life, as well as the drug-taking risks.

I would recommend contacting children’s social services if he is under 18.

Foodylicious · 26/11/2025 07:22

Contact SS and raise a child safeguarding concerns.
He is a child right up to his 18th birthday.
He is a child who it putting himself and others at risk
A child who had been stabbed in the stomach.
A&E should have raised a child safeguarding.
The best way you can help is by getting as much external support sent his (and your mums) way, whilst he is still a child.
Sadly, I can't see that moving with you will work out.
I think he would be unlikely to stay anyway, and you and your gome would then be vulnerable too.

Motherofalittledragon · 26/11/2025 07:29

Definitely not, what a shit show you’d be letting yourself in for.

nam3c4ang3 · 26/11/2025 07:29

You say no.

Owly11 · 26/11/2025 07:29

Absolutely hard no. Can you imagine what it will be like living with a violent, sexually aggressive sociopath? You absolutely should not put yourself at risk. You deserve care and love too. He is 17 so he is pretty much on his own now. It's very very sad but you cannot fix it and you can't help.

Okthenguys · 26/11/2025 07:43

Hard no.

SunnyViper · 26/11/2025 07:56

Absolutely fucking not. Not your problem at all.

Acornsoup · 26/11/2025 07:59

Your brother needs proper professional support and counselling. It’s good that you want to be in his life but the best way you can support him is by directing him to the help he needs when he is ready. If indeed he was stabbed in the stomach the police will be aware as will the hospital. I would also report to SS because it does sound like your brother is at risk.

Lobelia123 · 26/11/2025 08:01

Your mother has utterly failed at raising your brother and now wants to shaft her problem onto you. Dont take responsibility for him. sorry to be harsh, but it sounds like he's progressed from a 'problem' that might just need some structure and boundaries, to an incorrigible drug user and criminal in the making. Trying to turn the carcrash of his life around is probably almost impossible and way beyond your paygrade. Harsh and unfortunate, but true. Save yourself and focus on building a secure life for yourself. We all make choices and have to live with the consequences - and that includes you rmother and brother.

Littlejellyuk · 26/11/2025 08:05

Breakitc · 25/11/2025 22:00

Sorry I probably should've said in my OP, I have an 18mo and a partner. My brother actually came here for a week or so in the summer and we had no problems with him, he went to the gym with DP a few times and really enjoyed it. He didn't take anything while here what I know of, he was vaping with what I think was a THC vape but it was always outside as we asked (wouldve preferred not at all but outside was better than in). During that visit he told me that our mum expects him to be some kind of carer and go out and get shopping amongst other things but he's said it's not happening and it's always been that way even when he was younger. I obviously don't know if he was lying or not but he seemed convincing.

My DP thinks we should let him stay on a trial basis especially as he has no male role model but I'm unsure. DP didn't have a positive male role model and he believes it would've made a difference to him. He also thinks my brother isn't as bad as my mum is making him out to be but I have no idea how to tell for certain.

This is a mess isn't it?
Your mother ruined him, and his dad buggered off. 😔
Your mum wants him out of London? It may not be the worst idea, 🤔
But you don't need this chaos in your life, as he may behave with you at first, then slip into old habits when he gets comfortable. 😬

I would be tempted to buy his passport for him, as his birthday gift, so he can go and live abroad with his dad in all honesty. ✈️

Cyclebabble · 26/11/2025 08:10

I would not have him living with you. He is violent and aggressive and would make your life hell potentially. What he needs is his own flat. I would be visiting the council and maybe helping with a deposit, but I do not think you an best support him in your own house.

Bournetilly · 26/11/2025 08:11

I’d consider it without kids but you have an 18 month old so no way.

sesquipedalian · 26/11/2025 08:13

“I have an 18mo and a partner.”

And they should be your priority. No way should you be taking on an unreliable, uneducated, dishonest, unpleasant, mouthy young man who clearly thinks any problems in his life are somebody else’s fault. Having him to stay for a week is one thing: having him living with you is quite another. Just don’t even consider it, if you value your DP and your own sanity. As for your DB saying he was expected to be a carer because your DM wanted him to fetch some shopping, what rot. Asking your DC to pick up some shopping is hardly unreasonable, especially as your DB wasn’t even in school. I’m afraid your DM has raised a thoroughly unpleasant, unsocialised young man, and it’s way beyond you to sort it out. He needs some sort of professional intervention. I know you feel responsible because he’s your brother, but he’s really not your responsibility - your DC is, so make sure that you devote your time and energy to giving them the upbringing they deserve. You can’t help your DB - only he can do that for himself, but he needs interventions that are beyond you to provide. Your DP sounds kind, but his concern for your DB is misguided - how are you going to get rid of him when it all goes wrong (as it will)? What about money? What will happen when he loses it and smashes up something of yours or your partner’s? Is your DB the sort of role model you want to put before your DC? OP, you need to walk away from all this - your DB is not your problem, and you will only bring grief into your home if you allow him to come and live with you.

Naunet · 26/11/2025 08:16

If you agree to a trial and it doesn't work out, I highly suspect your mum will refuse to have him back

Elsvieta · 26/11/2025 08:17

No, no, no. He will ruin your life. It's not your role to pay for your parents' crap parenting. Thank your stars you don't live near them.

jeaux90 · 26/11/2025 08:21

Maybe your DP is right.
what I don’t get is why your DM won’t move out of London to give him a fresh start….but we know the answer, he’s never been a priority and has been neglected. Poor kid. If he does come you need a plan he agrees to and very strong boundaries